Police used water cannon and fired tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of protestors who had gathered at Khermahal junction Thursday to demand the unconditional release of three arrested ACAUT leaders.
Earlier the protestors were prevented from congregating at the Clock Tower Junction by a heavy deployment of armed police personnel after Section 144 CrPC (within 100 metre radius of the Clock Tower from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) was promulgated by Commissioner of Police Dimapur in the morning.
At the Khermahal junction, police requested the protestors to disperse but in vain even as the programme began with speeches by some speakers.
Among the speakers was ACAUT advisor and retired bureaucrat Khekiye Sema who claimed that the rally was for the Naga people and against the corruption and against the policies of the government. He reiterated that the protestors had nothing against the police.
The son of one of those arrested ACAUT leaders said his father was in jail for speaking the truth and that family members were denied permission to meet them. Dr. Asangla Tzudir of Heritage Publishing House lauded the courage of all right thinking citizens in fighting against corruption. The police meantime wanted the protestors to disperse but when they resisted, water cannon was used and followed by tear gas shells to force them to flee.
Later, a press conference was held at Hotel Tragopan where Khekiye again spoke and lambasted chief minister T.R.Zeliang.
He accused the present government of rampant corruption despite resentment by the public.
Khekiye said ACAUT respected the office of the chief minister but not the incumbent T.R.Zeliang whom he accused of merely “carrying out the wishes of Tinku Sethi”.
He also asked that when “culprits and criminals were roaming free and dictating the system, what kind of justice is this?” Khekiye said the matter cannot end here but that a demand for CBI probe was needed.
While one ACAUT member said when the demand was for justice, it was met with water cannon and tear gas and described the state action as a “murder of democracy.”
Another ACAUT member, Khegholi criticised police for denial of any knowledge on the whereabouts of R.Z. Lotha (one of the rice stockists). She claimed that one police officer admitted that their hands were tied.
Police clarifies
Addl DCP & PRO Dimapur Police clarified that the police had to resort to water cannon and tear-gas shelling as volunteers paid no heed to their appeals.
PRO said ACAUT was denied permission to hold the rally at NRL petrol pump by the state government. Strict directives were issued to prohibit any form of rally/protest especially during the festive season, PRO added.
He further informed that the three arrested ACAUT members have applied for bail and their hearing would be held on Friday.
(ANPSA Zbto silent protest march on p-5)
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